The 49th edition of IHGF Delhi Fair was the first virtual trade fair of its kind, scoring a mention in the Golden Book of World Records.
Held from 13 to 19 July, the trade fair included 25 virtual halls and more than 1300 manufacturers and exporters participated, while around 4,150 overseas buyers from 108 countries visited the virtual platform to source home, lifestyle, fashion, furniture and textiles products.
“It was a win-win situation for the handicrafts exporting community who have participated in the IHGF Delhi fair on the virtual platform, as exporters were feeling helpless because of prolonged lockdowns and migration of artisans to their home towns starting from March 2020 onwards,” Shri Rakesh Kumar, director general EPCH, explains.
Buyers from regions including Europe, North America and Oceania visited the online fair representing big brands such as Ralph Lauren, Anthropologie, Bed Bath and Beyond, Cracker Barrel as well as Bunnings from Australia.
EPCH had undertaken extensive promotion and publicity campaigns through emails, online banners, social media, tele calling and involving embassies abroad to promote the show.
“The virtual platform created by EPCH has provided a fruitful opportunity to handicrafts exporters to bring back their business on a path to recovery by doing business from the safe environment of their homes or factories,” adds Kumar.
Highlights of the fair include a variety of fashion shows, craft demonstrations, webinars and panel discussions as well as special promotions on products from North Eastern Region and Jammu & Kashmir.
